Product Description
Do you or someone you know like the Heartstopper webcomic characters Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring? Here's a charming piano solo inspired by Alice Oseman's series that literally has music bringing them both together! Using each letter from their names, two distinct melody lines were created as a "musical cryptogram" (hidden words matched to musical pitches). Both themes are simple, and I wanted this piece to capture the optimism portrayed in the first two volumes of the graphic novel (and season 1 of the Netflix adaptation). Overall this solo has a light-hearted pop feel and a driving rhythm that can appeal to tweens, teens, and adults alike.
Written in the key of e minor, players get to explore varied musical elements and techniques: left hand syncopation, simple rhythms of mostly quarter, eighth, and half notes (crochet, quaver, and minums for our UK Friends!), triplets, alternating legato and staccato passages, tempo changes and different dynamic markings (p, mp, mf, f, ff). Musical phrases are 4-8 measures long, which makes recognizing patterns and form easy for students. With performance directions of "hopeful," "happily," and "relaxed," interpretation beyond just notes and rhythms is an advanced concept teachers can explore with students.
This solo piece can be played for fun, talent shows, recitals, sight reading, or (for fans of the series) entertainment during Heartstopper episode marathons! This piece celebrates the essence of youth, adventure, and hope of what's to come.
Total performance time: 4:35. Key: E Minor Musical Elements explored: syncopation, staccato, legato, simple rhythms, dotted quarter notes, triplets, sensitivity to musical interpretation, dynamic contrast, tempo changes, pedaling. Teachers can spark imagination with students by asking, What are the characters doing in this passage? How would they feel in this part? Who or what else can represent the two melodies? to experiment with musical storytelling. If you enjoyed this piece, leave a review below! You can also connect with me on IG @jwupiano or my YouTube Channel, JwuPiano.
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.